Martini Italian Bistro Louisville Restaurant Review

Tucked inside the upscale Paddock Shops, just off of Brownsboro Rd. on Louisville’s East End, is one of the city’s finest Italian dining destinations, Martini Italian Bistro. This comfy but elegant restaurant features a large dining room with lots of space, a fabulous and highly regarded bar and an outdoor patio. Depending on your mood, any of the three spaces offer the perfect backdrop to an exceptional afternoon or evening out!

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On a recent sunny afternoon, my partner and I stopped in for an early dinner and boy were we in for a treat! It had been a while since we had been out and about in this part of Louisville, but we certainly won’t wait long for a return trip! Chef Allen Hubbard is a master of Italian Cuisine and it shows in every dish!

Of course, all great meals start with a fantastic cocktail. The cocktail list at Martini Italian Bistro is certainly broad enough and features top shelf liquors, as well as the region’s very best bourbons. But when dining at a restaurant named Martini, you know how we started!

Their Martini list is extensive and if you can’t find one you like here you I think you’re just plain out of luck! They have a lengthy choice of vodka, gin, bourbon or rum, martinis. Our choices were the Ultimat Martini with Patron’s Ultimat Vodka and gorgonzola stuffed olives and the Royal Flush with Woodford Reserve, peach and pineapple. We were both all smiles.

Being at an Italian bistro, we also had to try the Bruschetta bread. You’ve had many varieties of Bruschetta, no doubt, but the Martini Italian Bistro turns it up a notch by grilling their focaccia and then covering it with garlic puree, prosciutto, portobello mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, asiago cheese and a balsamic drizzle. After such a terrific start, we could tell the entire experience was going to be extra special!

For entrees, we selected two Martini favorites, the Broiled Atlantic Salmon with wood-fired asparagus, parmesan mashed potatoes, lemon garlic butter and onion straws. A mouthful of awesome flavors! It was all cooked perfectly and there was not a bite left to take home.

The shrimp pappardelle was another winner! The jumbo shrimp were served over the rich pappardelle pasta along with crushed red pepper, white wine garlic sauce, oven-roasted tomatoes, goat cheese and spinach. A healthy serving, and it was also good to the last bite.

The Pollo Piccata, is another crowd favorite here and we had to try it. The sauteed chicken is served in a lemon butter sauce with artichokes, capers and tomatoes poured over herbed linguine. You can substitute veal here if you prefer. Either way, you’ll go home happy!

We wrapped up with a nice slice of the gorgeous raspberry crème cake. This is another house favorite at Martini's in Louisville and it only took us one bite to understand why!

The Martini Italian Bistro in Louisville has been serving and keeping customers happy here in this very location for many years now. The prices are a great value and the dishes created by Chef Allen Hubbard are just awesome. The award-winning staff here is always extremely attentive and making sure you are comfortable and enjoy your time here.

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This Louisville Italian restaurant hosts special events throughout the year, in addition to their weekly Martini Madness on Mondays, Wine Enthusiast Night on Tuesdays and Whiskey Wednesdays. It's no wonder this is one of Louisville’s most raved about bars and Happy Hours!

So next time you’re in the mood for Italian, head straight to Martini Italian Bistro. We're sure happy that we did!